Adapting to change in grassroots groundskeeping
Volunteer Steve Finch on thirty years of keeping Wells Town’s pitch in top shape amid changing challenges.
For over three decades, Steve Finch has been at the heart of Wells Town Football Club, ensuring the pitch stays in top condition. We caught up with him to discuss how evolving funding, equipment, weather and wildlife have reshaped turfcare at grassroots level - and what keeps him motivated after more than thirty years in the game.
Managing a community pitch
Steve has worked in the turfcare industry all his life, and his experience shines through at Wells Town. Balancing responsibilities can be tricky: “When you’re at work, you have to fit in the groundskeeping whenever you can. Now that I’m retired, I have more time to focus on getting the pitch right,” he explains.
He takes pride in producing the best pitch possible while keeping a realistic outlook: “You can only prepare the pitch to the best of your ability. That often depends on your resources, machinery and budget. Everyone has other things in life.”
Feedback from players and officials keeps him motivated: “Whether it’s your own players, the opposition or the officials, it’s always nice to hear good feedback about the pitch. We’re in a bit of a goldfish bowl here. People walk past in the summer, and you want them to look at the pitch and think, ‘Wow, that looks great.’”
Most mornings, Steve spends two to three hours at the club working on pitch care and other tasks. Holding dual roles as Chairman and Head Groundsman allows him to prioritise what’s best for the club, though he admits finances can be a juggling act. “I’ve put my own money into the club to get fertilisers or machinery because I want it to keep going,” he says.
Tackling turfcare challenges
Over the past thirty years, Steve has seen many changes and faced a variety of challenges. Budget and funding were always key concerns. “For years, it was about making do with limited resources. The Football Foundation has really helped change that,” he notes.
The local wildlife brings its own set of problems. “In October, the Brent Geese arrive. They feed on farmland first but then come to the pitch. The damage they cause can be worse than a football match!” He’s tried gas bangers and scarecrows as deterrents, but being close to the coast makes complete control difficult.
Wells-next-the-Sea’s sandy surroundings also mask the reality of a heavy clay pitch. “Drainage is tricky, especially in the goalmouths. Dry summers followed by sudden rain make it even tougher,” Steve says. Changing weather patterns add another layer of complexity: “Last spring, the ground was so dry and hard I couldn’t overseed properly. Having a constant water supply would help, as the seasons are changing and we need water more than ever.”
He recalls one unforgettable challenge: “Back in 1978, the pitch flooded after the bank gave way. We actually had a fishing boat stranded on the pitch! We say we’re lucky to have the salt nearby because it acts as a natural fertiliser, but I’ll never forget that flood.”
Funding and equipment evolution
Before grants became available, much of the work depended on personal effort and creativity. Thanks to support from the Football Foundation and local sponsors, clubs like Wells Town can now achieve higher-quality pitches.
Steve explains: “The funding supports clubs through trial tests, pitch improvement plans and recommendations for equipment. We were one of the first clubs to receive this, and it’s made a huge difference.”
Even with grants, budgeting remains a challenge: “Everything’s gone up - machinery, fuel, everything. The funding helps, but sometimes you still need to invest yourself. I’ve acquired a lot of machinery through the industry - my tractor, fertiliser spreader and sprayer are mine. The mower and spiker came through grants.”
Passion that endures
After more than 30 years caring for the pitch, Steve’s enthusiasm hasn’t faded. “I just want the pitch to be the best it can be. As long as the club’s going and people are playing on it, I’ll be here doing my bit.”
Grassroots sport survives on dedication, knowledge and the willingness to adapt. For Steve Finch and countless groundsmen like him, the heart of the game is not just on the pitch - it’s in the care, skill and passion that make it playable.